Driving into the Sunset

I am back!

It goes without saying that I love my children, immensely and completely, but there are occasions when I could get into my car, and drive alone into the sunset ( midday smog will suffice too).  It is tough and half the time I am winging it, trying to overcome myself in order to be a good parent to an emotionally sensitive child.  When she is wonderful words fail me as to how great she is, but when she wobbles her world falls apart and mine sometimes shows mighty cracks.

Alaska was all of 2 1/2 when she asked me where she came from, 'but not from your tummy mommy, before that".  I was flummoxed.  Not confuse religion with spirituality but  I think when you have God sitting at your table nightly, the question is easier to answer, there is a book to which to refer to and buildings to visit with stories to tell.  So I searched and answers were provided.  Lately I have been thinking about how the spiritual and the emotional are interconnected and how in nurturing the one intelligently perhaps you care for the other. Or at least a spiritual journey can bring you (and/or your child) emotional peace.

 At the very least it can provide you with a zen place to visit when the sun has already set.

Que Soul Space..

Soul Space is an 'esoteric' event happening this weekend in Muldersdrift, perfect for the scrubbed up hippies amongst us and a wonderful alternative day out for those who prefer suit and tie. There will be fun activities for children from crafts and yoga to building labyrinths.

And I am exhibiting my paintings there.  Such fun!

The cost is R125 per adult and R75 per child. www.soulspace.co.za

This weeks craft is the superbly expressive Body Mapping

You will need

1. Large sheet of card
2. khokis
3. crayons
4. paint
5. glitter
6. bits and bobs

And here are some of the fantastic results:

Jayden hang his alter ego's arm over his shoulder walking around with it as though it were a good friend!

Just When You Think You Are Free

Last weekend was our 10th wedding anniversary.  I find this remarkable is so many ways, but yes, we have survived, we made it to a large milestone.  It was quite a  marathon.  I mention this primarily because Pete and I went away, alone, sans children.  Prior to having children we seemed to be in constant motion, weekends away, long journeys without predetermined destinations.  Car journeys on unknown roads.  Needless to say once our girls arrived the holidays dwindled and the journeys were well planned right down to where and when and how frequently we should stop.  Alaska does not endure long distances well, although she is beginning to see the light.

So for the second time in almost 8 years (since the birth of our eldest) we ventured forth without them, for three whole nights! Not having available grandparents the girls were divided amongst Thandi, and two friends (see earlier blog on the blessings of tribal living), households they know well.  In those three days our daughter phoned us 31 times from her phone (yes she has one), not counting the calls made from various other devices.  Yes, she missed us.  In that time the conversations we had about our absent children well exceeded that.  Yes, we missed them.  We had a beautiful time and remembered what fun we have together, why we love each other and how wonderful it is to indulge only ourselves.    However, that we are parents is inescapable, it is this great giant love that you lug around no matter where you go.  It is beyond and above all that you do and all that you are, in this love you have no choice. And so it is a bit of a quandary wanting to feel the silence and quietude, but once you have it, so needing the laughter and the noise. The wonders of children..

And so keeping in line with the notion of craziness, allow me to introduce the fabulous funny bunny!

Funny Bunny

You will need:

1. Scissors
2. construction paper
3. Sewing machine
4. Needles
5. Thread
6. Fabric
7. Stuffing
8. Felt
9. Fabric Paint 

I love them!! Happy stuffing!